Blue Star missed a host of opportunities to score as they had to settle for a 0-0 draw in a night where Mohamed Ramees was sent off for Colombo FC.
Photo Album – Colombo FC v Blue Star – Dialog Champions League 2015 (Super 8)
This Dialog Champions League Super 8 battle was billed as the replay of the FA Cup final from a few months back where Colombo FC defeated Blue Star 1-0. The two sides met in the opening fixture of the Champions League as well, with Colombo FC coming out on top 2-0.
Though Colombo FC boasted possession and territory throughout the match, it was the lads from Kalutara who created the clear cut chances, It was a match scattered with questionable refereeing decisions and it was further highlighted in a tense second half where Ramees; the former Blue Star skipper getting a red card for abusive language.
Blue Star looked a different outfit from the two previous matches as they were organized and cautious in defense; understandable given that they have conceded six goals in the two Super 8 matches compared to three in the 9 group stage games.
Colombo FC were boosted by the return of A.C.Frank from a two week injury lay-off as he paired with Zarwan Johar up front. Colombo FC stuck to their usual game plan of pressing high up the pitch, trying to force a mistake from the shaky defense. However Blue Star dealt with the danger well and midway through the first half settled down to pose questions at the opposite defense.
The Kalutara lads got the better of the opportunities but Yankson Richard squandered a couple and Mohamed Imran made a brilliant point blank range save from E.B.Channa as both the sides went into half time goal less.
It was the same story in the second half as Colombo FC struggled to penetrate the opposing defense while the match gradually became tensed with Blue Star tackles coming flying in. Colombo FC were not pleased as it happened in the first half as well and the referee took a lenient stance.
On one such occasion Yankson Richard fouled a Colombo FC player and while Momas Yapo tried to take the free-kick quickly it was blocked by Mohamed Farzeen and there on in it escalated rapidly with B.Shivanka and E.B.Channa getting involved. Ramees who came in between to settle the matters was got involved in the chatter and the referee brandished a straight red card to the former Blue Star skipper.
There on in it was all Blue Star as they got chance after chance to score but they missed sitters late in the match; most prominently by Farzeen who was unmarked and directed his header wide from close range and Channas lob over the goalkeeper Imran rattling the crossbar.
ThePapare.com Man of the Match: Nasiru Opayemi
What they had to say;
Colombo FC coach Mohamed Roomy;
“We pressed well for the opening 20 minutes but then lost that zip because we were unable to practice because of rain. Towards the end of the first half Blue Star played well. We wanted goals early on but their defense was good today. Not satisfied with some of the refereeing decisions but Blue Star had chances, so we are lucky to come away with the win.”
Blue Star captain Fahir Ali;
“Our experienced played well as we came into the match to win. We are disappointed not to come away with the win. However a good start after poor showing in the last few matches. We rectified our mistakes from ThePapare.com videos which helped a lot.”
